DENVER -- The Denver Broncos are sponsoring a $50,000 memorial grant in the name of cornerback Darrent Williams who was gunned down on New Year's Day in an incident that police said could be gang-related.

The Broncos said the grant will be given to a gang-prevention program in Denver for its first year.

The Broncos will present the first-year $50,000 grant to Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives that will be spread over five years. Open Door is a gang prevention youth program that aims to help young people in the community stay out of gangs and get involved in positive alternatives.

The Broncos said every January the grant will be given to a similar deserving agency in the Denver community that provides positive alternatives to youths.

Open Door is directed by Rev. Leon Kelly, who has been devoted to preventing gang violence in the community.

Broncos president Pat Bowlen said, "We have come to believe in the commitment and the devotion of Rev. Leon Kelly to prevent gang violence through the work of Open Door, and it is a wonderful first step in formally memorializing Darrent."

The Broncos said they hope that the Annual Darrent Williams' Memorial Grant will serve to improve the lives of young people in the Denver community.

The Denver Broncos also have offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who provides information about Williams' murder that leads to an arrest and conviction.